An easy meatless recipe for the traditional Spanish rice dish! This Vegan Paella is gluten-free, allergy-free, packed with authentic flavors, and hearty vegetables. A healthy, one-pot, vegetarian dinner that will quickly become a new family favorite!
A delicious meatless twist on the classic! Deviating from authenticity, slightly, but still bringing you all the delicious flavors of a Spanish paella! This one...just happens to be vegan! No need for the meat or seafood in this vegan paella. We swapped it out with hearty veggies like artichokes and hearts of palm! You're still going to get the meaty textures and bite, but with an extra healthy dose of vegetable nutrition!
What is paella?
Traditional Spanish Paella originated in the Valencia region of Spain around the mid-19th century. There are various types of paella and as the dish has spread worldwide, you'll find everything under the sun in this rice dish! The most common categories of paella are vegetable, seafood, and mixed, which can be a combination of any and everything. The original Valencian recipe consists of bomba style white rice, green beans, a type of meat, lima beans or butter beans, snails, tomatoes, and a hefty dose of fragrant seasonings including saffron, sweet paprika, and rosemary. Don't forget the olive oil either (this is prime Mediterranean fare!) In seafood-based paella, you'll find prawns (shrimp), mussels, cuttlefish, even lobster!
How is it cooked?
Paella is traditionally cooked in a large paella pan over an open fire. The fire is made with pine branches and cones to create a super fragrant smoke to add more flavor to the paella being cooked. Paella actually means "pan" and thus, this entire dish is made in one large open pan to create the most flavorful, aromatic, meal possible.
How to make vegan paella
Since a traditional Valencia paella is vegetable-friendly, it's already half-way to being vegan. No dairy or eggs to worry about; no gluten, soy, or nuts either! Paella is a pretty allergy-friendly meal to begin with and making it meatless and shellfish-free is as simple as swapping in some "meaty" vegetables!
What you need:
- Red Bell Pepper
- Onion
- Garlic
- Artichoke Hearts
- Hearts of Palm
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
- Green Peas (or Green Beans)
- Medium-Grain White Rice
- Vegetable Stock
- Olive Oil
- Paprika
- Saffron (or Turmeric!)
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Fresh Lemon
What type of rice should you use?
Paella is traditionally made with the Spanish rice, Bomba rice. You can order it online, but it may be hard to find in-stores. Instead, you can choose another short to medium grain rice such as Arborio rice or Valencia rice. Something that absorbs the flavors but doesn't become mush.
How to cook vegan paella:
- Start by sauteing the veggies in a large wide skillet or pot.
- Add the rice, stock, and aromatics.
- Bring everything to a boil, before reducing the heat and letting the dish simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice has cooked through to achieve an al-dente bite (again, you don't want mush!)
In simplest terms, that's the easy overview of a simple paella! If you want to get a little fancier, you can take this non-traditional paella to the next level by increasing the heat on the stove to high for the last few minutes to achieve the prized "Socarrat" toast to the bottom of the rice. It's the crispy, caramelized, toasted crust of rice at the bottom of the pan that is prized and takes a bit of skill to achieve!
What does paella taste like?
Since we're skipping the meat and seafood and we're not cooking this over a wonderfully smoked fire, how will we still be able to achieve such a luxurious, authentic paella taste? To achieve the smokiness you'll be using smoked paprika as well as sweet. Rosemary will give you the pine earthiness. You'll still get all the classic flavors from the tomato, onion, garlic, and distinct flavor from the artichokes. The meaty textures are still there from the artichoke hearts and hearts of palm. Paella is always finished off this a bright burst of fresh lemon juice to balance things out.
How to serve
Spanish paella is made in a wide large pan over fire and thus, was meant to feed a crowd directly from the pan! Since you're probably not going to serve it that way (campfire food?), just dish it out onto plates! The other thing about paella is that it needs to rest after cooking to allow the flavors to properly develop (just like resting meat off the grill!) You can make paella ahead of time then store it as you would a typical casserole type dish. It's best served the day you made it, however.
Other yummy rice dishes:
Easy Spanish Vegan Paella
Easy Spanish Vegan Paella (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)
An easy meatless recipe for the traditional Spanish rice dish! This Vegan Paella is gluten-free, allergy-free, packed with authentic flavors, and hearty vegetables. A healthy, one-pot, vegetarian dinner that will quickly become a new family favorite!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Main DIsh
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
- 1 TB Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 15oz Can of Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- 1 Cup Chopped Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Cup Chopped Vidalia Onion
- 1 Cup Frozen Green Peas (or Green Beans)
- Ā¾ Cup Chopped Artichoke Hearts
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Cups Arborio RiceĀ
- 2 Cup Vegetable Stock
- 1 14oz Can of Sliced Hearts of Palm
- Ā½ Cup Chopped Parsley
- 2 Sprigs of Fresh Rosemary
- 1 Tsp Sweet Paprika
- 1 Tsp Saffron (or Turmeric)
- Ā½ Tsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 TB Fresh Lemon Juice
Instructions
- In a large wide skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and add the tomatoes, pepper, onion, peas, artichokes, and garlic. Allow everything to cook for about 5 minutes.
- Now add the rice, stock, hearts of palm, all spices and herbs (not the lemon juice) to the skillet.
- Bring everything to a boil, before reducing the heat to medium and allowing the rice to cook for 10-15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- Once the liquid is absorbed, either turn the heat to high to toast the bottom of the rice or go straight to allowing the paella to rest, covering the pan with foil to steam for 10 minutes.
- Before serving, remove the fresh rosemary sprigs and add the fresh lemon juice to the paella.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Varies
Keywords: vegetable, rice, artichokes, hearts of palm, meatless, one-pot, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, fish-free, shellfish-free, sesame-free, sugar-free, kid-friendly, traditional, authentic, classic
Last thing to do it get an actual paella pan, because I guarantee paella is going to become a family favorite and part of the weekly rotation! These regional favorites become classic for a reason and now you can make some vegan paella right at home, on the stove, in about 30 minutes!
So tell me:
+ Have you ever tried paella?
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Miz Helen
Wow, this looks like an amazing dinner for my family!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hope you all enjoy!
Ela
Such delicious inspiration! We love rice and paella is a very good choice! Pinned it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The classic rice dish!
Becky
Oooh I had the most amazing vegan paella at a music festival recently and have been trying to find a recipe that replicates it. This looks so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hope you enjoy this one, Becky.
Toni
This is amazing! I love that you made it gluten-free!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Paella is always gluten-free.
Sarah-Marie
It looks absolutely divine and reminds me of happy holidays in Spain!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
One day I'll get there š
Lindsay Cotter
Love the hearty veggies you used to swap out the meat in this vegan paella! A simple and delicious meal for any night of the week!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just as satisfying for everyone!
Rachel
I work with a bunch of people that are vegans. We often have potlucks so I will keep this recipe handy.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Paella is a great potluck dish!
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman
Props to you for finding a way to make this classic vegan! Your subs of hearts of palm and artichoke are perfect!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Always my go-to "real food" mock meats!
leah
this is a new food for me but I looove that its vegan! it can be so hard to find vegan recipes that are appealing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This is a great plant-forward dish to add to the meal routine!
Rachel R Ritlop
literally making this this week! Sounds SO good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
And so good for leftovers š
Marina
I love paella and I will definetely try your recipe x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad to hear it, Marina!
Crystal // Dreams, etc.
I haven't had paella in such a long time and this sounds delish! Definitely need to try it out at some point.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
So easy to whip up at home!
Helen
I LOVE paella! This looks SO delicious. I'm drooling.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Such a yummy classic!
Hadia
I love paella, but never had a vegan one, yours sounds singing with flavors!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I just love how it's such a fragrant dish!
Catherine @ To & Fro Fam
This. Looks. Amazing!! I'm so intrigued by the vegan version of paella and definitely want to make this asap.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You won't miss any of the seafood or meat here!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Love how simple and delicious this recipe looks and sounds!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much!
Mindful Mystic Mama
I havenāt had paella in ages! This looks delicious. Going to give it a go, thank you š
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's such a classic dish!
Natasha
We went vegan over 6 months ago, and we love Mexican food! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Paella isn't Mexican, but, enjoy..
Emily
This looks so yummy and full of flavour! I am so going to have to try it!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Tons of flavor for sure!
Shauna
Yum! In my home we like to eat vegan and gluten free as much as possible--but it really feels impossible sometimes. This recipe proves me wrong. Looks delicious. I'll save for later. Thank you for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This is a great easy dish for feeding everyone!
Nipa
I've never thought to make paella without seafood, and love that your recipe includes artichokes as I'm always looking for a way to use them that isn't my usual dip! I've pinned your recipe for a rainy day š xo Nipa
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Artichokes are such a great meat sub!
Lisa Arekion
I am definitely excited to try this recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Such a great family meal!
Martha
This looks sooo yummy! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you enjoy, Martha.